Folding table.



Ov IVI. OTTE.

FOLDING TABLE.

APPLICATION min Nov. 5, Isra.

Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

` outer OTHO M. OTTE, OF JAMESTGWN, NEW YORK.

FOLDNG TAELE.

. Specification` of Letters Patent.

v Patented Dec. Sil, 121%.

Application led November 5, 191B. Serial No. 261,271.

To @ZZ whom it may concern: Be it known that l, O'rno M. OTTE, a citizen of the `United States, residing at the city of Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have in-- vented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following,

taken in connection with the accompanying j drawings, is a specification.

The invention relates to collapsible or folding tables; and the improvement consists in providing a two part or double section axially hinged support, in which one section or frame folds within the other, stops being provided on both sides of the outer section to hold the inner section in line therewith when in the folded position, the top being so hinged as to fold into perfect alinement with said sections; and lthe invention consists in the novel features and combinations hereinafter set forth and claimed.

. ln the drawings, lFigure 1 is a perspective view of the set up Itable showing the under side of the top and the pivotal attachment thereto-of one section or frame and the interlocking attachment thereto of the other section or frame. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the table in the colla sed or folded position showing the inter tting arrangement of the two hour-glass shaped sections or frames .on one bollt. Fig. 3 is a sectional view at linel 3-3 in Fig. 2 showing the construction and arrangement of the central portion 0r axial joint between the two interfolding sections. Fig. 4.- is an edgew-ise elevation of the Itable in the folded position. Fig. 5 is a crosswise sectional view. of the axial joint at line 55 in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the top'showing in elevation the preferred form of the attaching bracket and u per end of the leg or frame section. Fig. is a similar viewof a slight modification of the' construction shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of thev under side of a corner of the table top showing the manner of locking the upper end of the interfolding frame 'to hold the samev firmly in Ithe set up position. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the central portion of the outer frame showing thestops for the linner foldin framev on the opposlte sides of said rame.

Like characters of reference refer to corresponding parts in the several. views.'

rfhe folding table is preferably made of sheet metal though it may be made of wood or other materials. rlhe sheet metal however is more adaptable to this form of construction. llft may be made in different sizes from a small stand to a large table, the sheet metal rendering it possible to hygienically coat the parts with vitreous or hea-t hardened enamel thereby making a simple and exceedingly durable and convenient table for hospitals and similar uses.

Irlhe numeral 10 designates the topy which is preferably struck up vbysuitable dies from the sheet metal with a downwardly projectingflange 11 surrounding the same to thereby give a smooth and pleasing finish to the table top edge. f

rlhe top 10 is supported by two hour-glass shaped sections or frames 12 and 13 that is enlarging toward each end, which shape provides four triangular shaped braced portions axially hinged by a king bolt 14 their contracted central portions. The sections 12 and 13 are preferably made of sheet metal tubing preferably rectangular shaped as shown; though said tubing may be made in other shapes however without departing from my invention or, the frames 12 and 13 may bemade of solid bars. The tubing is preferred on account of its light weight and strength. n Each of the sections 12 and 13 consist of two braced and connected tubular legs connected at their contracted portions. rlhe legs of the outer section 12 are connected by the stop plates 15 and 16 ,on opposite sides thereof and extending each way from the vaxis to hold the two leg portions 17 in spaced relation to receive the inner section "13 therebetween. The leg portions 18 of 'the inner section 13 are reduced to a single tube by interlitting into one another, as shown in sectionin Fig. 5, the side of one of the legs 18 being cut away for fthe length of the Straight interitting central portion, the opposite leg fitting thereinto and being welded thereto, thereby making a strong central conthrough tracted connection for the frame 13, a hole. extending through the straight central portions 19 4and 20 to receive the king bolt 14: therethrough.

The triangular end. portions ofthe `section are made to interfit within the similar triangular end portions of the section 12.

Each of the lower endA portions in the seced to the under side of the top stop plates l5 plates is attached to the section lends 22 of the legs 17 4in the frame 12 are pivotally attached at 23 to the brackets 24, which brackets 24 are preferably spot weld- 10 and extend down below the flange 11 a sufficient distance so 4that said upper ends 22 of the legs 17 will fold parallel to the lower edge of the flange 11. A slight modification of this construction is shown in Fig. 7 in which the upper end 25 of the leg 17 is bent to one side suicien'tly to permit the bracket 26 being made about the depth of the flange 11 on the top 10. rIhis arrangement pivotally hinges the top 10 to the outer frame 12.

The upper end of the frame 13 is held firmly in the triangular braced form by a cross bar 27 which extends across between the upper ends of the legs 18 and is welded thereto, being preferably made in the holloW tubular form as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. The ends of the tube 27 have the open ended slots 28 to receive therethrough the lugs 29 which are Welded at 30 to the under' side ofv Aa very strong, simple and durable folding table which occupies small space in the folded position and is a very durable construction. The width of the top 10 hanging from the hinging or pivot points 23 in the folded position folds said top against the side of the folded leg sections while stops 15 and 16 each side of the axial bolt 14 holds the two supporting sections 12 and 13 firmly in interitting alinement. The section 13 threads through the opening formed in the straight central portion 19 of the section 12 by 'the and 16 on the opposite sides thereof, said section being preferably threaded thereinto before the last one of said stop 12. This arrangement locks the straight portion 20 of the section 13 within said opening in the ed through said first hour by simply press- I claim as new 1. In a folding table, a sheet metal top having a downwardly projecting rim flange, spaced hinge brackets attached to the underside of Said top near one side andextending below said rim flange, an hour glass shaped leg frame hinged to said spaced hinge brackets below said rim flange to permit said top folding flat against said leg frame, a second hour glass shaped leg frame threadglass shaped leg frame at its central portion, a pivot bolt through the interthreading portion of said hour glass shaped leg framesito hinge said frames one to another and fold said second hour glass shaped leg frame within the first hour glass shaped leg frame, latching means attached to the opposite under side of said top from said hinge brackets, and interlatching means on said second hour glass shaped frame to engage with said latching means on said top to hold said parts in bracing engagement in the set up positio 2. In a` folding table, a sheet metal top having a downwardly projecting rim flange, said top having spaced hinge brackets spot welded to the under side thereof near one side and spaced latching lugs spot Welded to the under side thereof near the other side, an hour-glass shaped leg frame comhinge said frames one to another and fold said second hour-glass shaped leg frame within the i'irst hour-glass shaped leg frame, said first hour-glass shaped leg frame hinged at its upper end to said brackets to fold said top parallel With said frame, said second hour-glass shaped frame having slots therein to receive said latching lugs in bracing and holding engagement.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

OTHO M. OTTE. Witnesses:

H. A. SANDBERG,

A. W. Murr. 

